Frequently Asked Questions

OFFICE ADMINISTRATION

MEDICAL INFORMATION CODER/BILLER ADMINISTRATION
MEDICAL OFFICE ADMINISTRATION
OFFICE ADMINISTRATION

What is Office Administration?
Office Administration is an Associate in Science Degree program of study that enables students to work in an office environment as a Coder/Biller, Medical Office Administrative Assistant or Transcriptionist and a general office Administrative Assistant. Students will earn 63 credit hours of courses. Of the 63 credit hours, 15 credit hours are general education courses.

There are three different Associate in Science Degrees available. They are:

Medical Office Coder/Biller Administration
Medical Office Administration
Office Administration

Are there any Technical Certificates available?
Each Associate in Science Degree has technical certificates.
The requirements are:

Medical Coder/Biller Technical Certificate 34 credit hours of course work.
Medical Office Specialist Technical Certificate 18 credit hours of course work.
Medical Office Support Technical Certificate 12 credit hours of course work.
Office Management Technical Certificate 27 credit hours of course work.
Office Specialist Technical Certificate 18 credit hours of course work.
Office Support Technical Certificate 12 credit hours of course work.

How can I get a certificate? Do I have to apply? What can I do with a certificate?
During your last semester of classes, you need to make an appointment with the Career Program Advisor of your specific campus. Your transcript will be reviewed, and you will complete an application to have a technical certificate awarded. You technical certificate will be mailed to your address of record during the next semester.
Upon receiving a technical certificate, you can apply for office support positions in health care, law, banking, insurance, retail, manufacturing, and educational offices.

Can I continue on for my Associate in Science Degree after I get a technical certificate?
Office Administration Technical Certificates have common courses that are used for all technical certificates and Office Administration Associate in Sciences Degrees. You will need to take 15 credit hours of general education courses and possibly more specialty courses for a total of 63 credit hours.

What computer courses will I take while getting a degree in Office Administration?
OST1100 Keyboarding and Document Processing I
OST1108 Building Keyboarding Speed and Accuracy
OST1110 Keyboarding and Document Processing II
OST2831 Microsoft Windows
OST2711WordPerfect or OST2756Microsoft Word
OST2854 Microsoft Office
OST2858 Microsoft Excel
OST2813 PageMaker

What will I learn in Keyboarding and Document Processing I and II?
Keyboarding and Document Processing I covers the touch method of the alphabetic and numeric keyboarding. It then progresses to formatting letters, reports, tables and memoranda.

Keyboarding and Document Processing II covers more advanced features of formatting correspondence, statistical keying and manuscripts. It also contains lessons covering Medical and Legal formatting.

If a student is proficient in either of these two courses, the student may take a Credit-by-Examination test. If the student passes the requirements, the student will receive credits posted to their transcript.

In order to be eligible to take a Credit-by-Examination test, an individual has to be a Valencia Community College student.

What Kind of Classes are offered?
Day, evening, weekend, online, and telecourse courses that cover the requirements for a technical certificate and associate in science degree, are offered during the regular college semesters – each semester is approximately 15 weeks long.

How much does it cost?
The cost per credit hour and other fees, including the application fee, are subject to change every year, for current fee information visit the online catalog at 2007-2008 Official Catalog in PDF in the “Financial Information and Financial Aid ".

Is financial aid available to cover the cost of courses?
Yes. Many students do qualify for financial aid, with the exception of international students.

What other services does Valencia provide?

• Computer Labs
• Tutoring Center
• Career Center
• Bilingual staff and international advisors
• Testing Center

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